About Our Logo

Our company logo was designed to evoke the image of a Japanese family crest, known as a kamon. Decorative symbols usually round, square, or lozenge-shaped, kamon were used in the feudal period to identify families, for example appearing on battle flags, and many families still use them to adorn their formal kimono. Their often-abstract style is a good example of Japanese design.

The shapes on the logo are intended to look like chrysanthemum petals. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of Japan, and also is the official city flower of Chicago, our company’s birthplace.

The three portions of the logo symbolize our company’s philosophy of bringing together the best of Japanese culture and the best of other cultures to create a “hybrid” way of doing things that combines the strengths of all.